ARTICLE I – NAME AND OFFICE

Section 1. This Society shall be known as the PHILIPPINE SOCIETY FOR MICROBIOLOGY, INC. or PSM, hereinafter referred to as the Society.

Section 2. The Society shall have its office (either at the University of the Philippines at Los Baños, College, Laguna or ITDI, DOST, Bicutan or such other place in Metro Manila or Los Baños, Laguna as the Board of Directors may determine from time to time) at the Department of Life Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Laguna, Philippines.

ARTICLE II – OBJECTIVES

In addition to the purposes mentioned under Art. II of the Articles of Incorporation, the following are the objectives of the Society:

1. Promotion of scientific knowledge in microbiology or related fields through workshops, symposia, trainings, reports, and publications.

2. Stimulation of scientific investigations and advancement in the frontiers of microbiology and/or allied fields.

3. Contribution to the development of education in microbiology.

4. Recognition and accreditation of members in different specialized fields of microbiology.

ARTICLE III – POWERS

Section 1. Acquire from any governmental authority, foreign or domestic and from any person, natural or judicial, as well as from any association or other entity, such characters, franchises, licenses, rights, privileges, technical assistance as are conducive to and necessary for the attainment of the purposes of the organization.

Section 2. Receive and acquire to the extent provided by law, from any person, firm or entity whether foreign or domestic, by donation, grant, exchange, devise, bequest, purchase, lease or contribution, either absolutely or in trust, consisting of such properties, real or personal, and/or otherwise invest its funds, moneys or properties.

Section 3. Perform all acts and things necessary, suitable or proper for the accomplishment of any of the purposes or objectives herein enumerated or which shall at any time appear conducive or expedient for the protection or benefit of the organization, including the exercise of the powers, authorities, and attributes conferred upon corporations organized under the laws of the Philippines in general and upon domestic non-stock corporation of like nature in particular.

return to top

ARTICLE IV – MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any person or organization engaged and interested in advancing the objectives of the Society shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. The Society shall consist of charter, regular, life, sustaining, and honorary members.

1. Charter members – those who originally organized the Society on October 14, 1971 at the University of the Philippines, College, Laguna.

2. Regular members – those who have had training and experience in microbiology and have been recommended by the membership committee; they must have paid the membership dues before becoming regular members.

3. Life members – regular members shall be eligible for life membership after one year of active participation in the Society and upon payment of appropriate dues. 

4. Honorary members – any person with outstanding contribution to the science of microbiology or outstanding services to the Society shall be eligible for election as honorary members by the Board of directors. Honorary members are exempted from the payment of dues.

5. Sustaining members – organizations engaged / interested in microbiology and biotechnology shall become sustaining member upon approval of the membership committee and payment of the corresponding dues.

Section 3. All applicants for membership endorsed by the membership committee shall become official members of the Society immediately after oath- taking.

Section 4. All members shall be entitled to the rights and privileges of the Society, except that honorary members and sustaining members or their representatives shall not be eligible to vote or hold office. Any regular member or life member who fails to attend a PSM seminar, workshop, regional convention or the PSM annual convention for three consecutive years without a valid excuse, shall be dropped from the roll after proper notification.

Section 5. The PSM Board of Directors may, after fair hearing, suspend or expel any member, for having committed an act or acts inimical to the profession and to the PSM. The rules and regulations governing such hearing shall be prescribed by the Board of Directors of the PSM National Organization.

return to top

ARTICLE V – OFFICERS

Section 1. The Board of Directors shall be the legal representative of the society and, as such, shall administer the Society’s properties and affairs. The Board of Directors shall be the policy-making body of the Society.

Section 2. The Board of Directors of the Society shall be composed of the executive officers and representatives of the various Divisions and the immediate past president, as exofficio member with no voting right.

Section 3. The executive officers of the Society shall be a president, a vice president, a corresponding secretary, a recording secretary, a treasurer, a business manager, a press relations officer, an auditor and a liaison officer. They shall be elected by the general membership during the Annual Convention except for the Recording Secretary and Liaison Officer who will be appointed by the President. In the case of the Vice President, he automatically becomes the President for the following year. The position of the Vice President should alternate preferably between a Los Baños – and a Metro Manila – based Society member. All officers of the Society shall hold office for one year or until their successors are duly elected/appointed and qualified.

Section 4. The president shall serve as the chairman of the Board.

Section 5. Should the presidency become vacant before the end of the prescribed period, the vice president shall then become president for the unexpired term. If these two offices should become vacant at the same time, it shall be the duty of the members of the Board to elect a president and vice- president from the current Board. Other vacancies in the Board may be filled up by appointment by the Board from among the qualified members of the Society for the unexpired term only.

Section 6. The immediate past president shall automatically become a member of the Board for the succeeding year, provided, however, that he/she shall not serve as an executive officer, as ex-officio member with no voting right.

Section 7. The Board shall hold at least six regular meetings a year at a time and place fixed by the Board. The majority of the Board members shall constitute a quorum.

return to top

ARTICLE VI – DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Section 1. President

1. Presides over all meetings of the Board of Directors and general assembly.
2. Implements all policies and programs promulgated by the Board of Directors.
3. Prepares plans of activities for the Society in consultation with the Board of Directors and execute all approved plans.
4. Countersigns checks for payment and withdrawal slips from the Society’s deposits.
5. Accepts donations, grants, gifts, etc. in behalf of the Society.
6. Presents a written and oral annual report during the general assembly meeting.
7. Represents the Society in any meeting or business transaction requiring the participation of the Society.
8. Acts as convention chairman during the annual convention of the Society.

Section 2. Vice-President

1. Assists the President in all his functions.
2. Discharges the duties and responsibilities of the President in the latter’sincapacity or absence.

Section 3. Corresponding Secretary

1. Issues notices of meetings of the officers, Board of Directors and general assembly.
2. Prepares correspondence for the Society upon delegation by the President.
3. Prepares the proceedings of the national convention and other activities as designated by the President.
4. Makes arrangements for mailing reports, publications/newsletters and other materials to the Society’s members.
5. Distributes publications to subscribers and advertisers; maintains circulation list of all publications of the Society.

Section 4. Recording Secretary

1. Records and keeps minutes of meetings of the Board of Directors.
2. Keeps all records, documents, and other properties of the Society.
3. Keeps an updated roll of members.
4. Maintains the Society’s scrapbook containing pictures and captions of the major activities of the Society.

return to top

Section 5. Treasurer

1. Receives the Society’s moneys, donations, grants, gifts, and bequests.
2. Deposits the Society’s money in bank(s) duly authorized by the Board of Directors.
3. Disburses the funds of the Society upon approval of either the President or Vice-President. However, the Treasurer may disburse funds without prior approval of the above on routinary expenses, not exceeding P500.00.
4. Keeps an account of all assets, credits, disbursements and finances of the Society.
5. Prepares financial statements periodically as determined by the Board of Directors or as requested by the Auditor.

Section 6. Business Manager

1. Arranges for contacting prospective subscribers and advertisers in the Society’s publication.
2. Coordinates fund-raising activities of the Society.

Section 7. Press Relations Officer

1. Issues press releases regarding activities of the Society.
2. Takes charge of the publication of the Society’s newsletters, bulletins and other similar information materials.

Section 8. Auditor

1. Examines and audits all financial statements submitted by the Treasurer.
2. Countersigns all cash receipts.
3. Notes turn-over of property, documents of donations, bequests, etc.
4. Insures that all expenses are reasonable and within the budgetary allocation.

return to top

Section 9. Liaison Officer

1. Maintains or strengthens communications or linkages among PSM members.
2. Serves as a communication channel between PSM Board of Directors and (a) general membership and (b) friends of PSM.
3. Establishes contact between PSM and other organizations / agencies / personalities for the promotion of the objectives / interests of the Society.

Section 10. Immediate Past President

1. Serves to ensure the continuity of programs and activities of the Society from the previous to the present administration.

2. Provides advice / counsel to the incoming Board.

ARTICLE VII – ELECTION

Section 1. Only members who have been with the Society for at least one year shall be nominated for an elective position.

Section 2. The nominated member who is not present during the business meeting shall automatically be out of the nomination.

Section 3. Any nominee for the Vice-President should have served as member of the Board at least twice within the last 10 years.

Section 4. Members of the Board of Directors shall be elected by plurality vote during the annual business meeting.

Section 5. Voting shall be conducted by means of secret ballot and participated in by registered members only.

Section 6. A case of a tie shall be resolved by the general assembly following Section 4, Article VII.

ARTICLE VIII – DIVISIONS

Section 1. The Divisions of the Society shall be as follows:

Basic Microbiology
Agricultural Microbiology
Industrial Microbiology
Food Microbiology
Medical Microbiology
Veterinary Microbiology
Aquatic Microbiology
Environmental Microbiology
Microbiology Education

Section 2. All existing members of the Society shall be classified according to Division. New members must specify the Division in which they want to be registered.

Section 3. Each Division shall be represented in the Board of Directors by an elected representative who shall be elected by the general membership during the Annual Convention.

Section 4. The duties and responsibilities of the Division Representatives shall be as follows:

1. Plan, coordinate, and execute the activities of the Division.

2. Maintain an updated list of Division members in consultation with the Membership Committee.

return to top

ARTICLE IX - REGIONAL CHAPTERS

Section 1. Regional chapters of PSM may be established, one in Northern Luzon, one in the Visayas, and one in Mindanao.

Section 2. The creation of regional chapters shall be consistent with the “Guidelines on the Philippine Society for Microbiology, Inc. Regional Chapters”.

ARTICLE X – THE PHILIPPINE ACADEMY OF MICROBIOLOGY

Section 1. There should be an academic and accrediting arm of the Society to be called the Philippine Academy of Microbiology (PAM).

Section 2. Its objectives as the accrediting arm are to complement/supplement the activities of the PSM as follows:

1. To develop and maintain a high standard of practice in the field of microbiology.
2. To formulate rules, regulations and guidelines relative to accreditation, certification and membership to the PAM.
3. To accredit, certify and classify life members of the Society according to the defined standards and qualification requirements which may include written and/or oral examination.

Section 3. Membership to the PAM is open only to life members of the PSM. However, acceptance will depend upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation.

Section 4. The PAM chair is required to submit a written report of its activities and audited financial statement every year prior to the PSM Annual Convention.

Section 5. The Council of Regents shall run the PAM. It shall be composed of six members – the Chair, the Vice-Chair, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the PRO and the Auditor. The regularly elected members of the Council shall hold office for a term of three (3) years on a staggered basis so that each year only one new member shall be elected to replace the one with expired term.

Section 6. A Committee on Accreditation composed of examiners shall be formed by the Council of Regents from among the members of the PAM for purposes of accreditation. Membership in the Committee shall be at a minimum of three (3) and a maximum of five (5) as may be deemed necessary. The examiners shall evaluate membership applicants to the PAM and recommend to the Council of Regents their acceptance and classification. Examiners shall be appointed initially by the PAM Chair for 3, 4 and 5 years. Thereafter, each new member shall be appointed for a term of three (3) to five (5) years depending upon the number of examiners. The examiners shall elect from among themselves a Chair and a Vice-Chair who shall each serve for one (1) year. In the event of a resignation or physical incapacity of any member, a new examiner shall be appointed.

return to top

ARTICLE XI – COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Society shall have four standing committees: Membership, Publication, External Affairs and Continuing Professional Education (CPE). Ad hoc committees may be created as the need arises.

Section 2. The functions of the standing committees shall be as follows:

Membership

1. Promote membership in the Society by publicizing its aims or objectives.
2. Recruit new members for the Society.
3. Screen/evaluate applications for membership.


Publication

1. Take charge of the publications of the Society.
2. Solicit items or articles from members for possible printing in PSM publications.


External Affairs

1. Solicit funds for the Society through donations, contributions, bequests, grants, etc.
2. Plan and organize activities for generating funds for the Society.
3. Negotiate and promote mutually beneficial activities with other organizations/agencies.


Continuing Professional Education (CPE)

1. Take charge of all matters pertaining to the CPE accreditation of the Society’s activities, such as conventions, programs, seminars, etc., with the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC).
2. Advise the Clusters and Chapters in the planning of their activities to ensure a wider coverage of the topics taken during these activities.
3. Maintain attendance records of the Society’s activities related to CPE accreditation and give out CPE certificates of units earned to the respective participants, as needed.


ARTICLE XII – MEETING

Section 1. There shall be a general meeting of the Society for the presentation of scientific papers, exhibits, etc. and for the transaction of business at least once a year. This shall be known as the Annual Convention.

Section 2. The Annual Convention shall be held every second Thursday in May of each year at a place chosen by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. Monthly/Special Meetings – Monthly meetings of the Board shall be called before the end of each month by the President of the Society. During such meetings, the President shall render his monthly report to the Board regarding the activities of the Society. There will be a representative of the Philippine Academy for Microbiology (PAM) in the monthly meetings. The PAM representative will have a non-voting participation. Special meetings of the members may be called as the need thereof arises, by the Board of Directors or the President or upon petition of 1/3 of the general membership.

Section 4. Quorum – A quorum for any meeting shall consist of a majority of the members and a majority of such quorum may decide any question at the meeting, except those matters where the Corporation Code requires the affirmative vote of a greater proportion. The quorum for the Annual Convention shall consist of at least majority of all members.

Section 5. Voting – Qualified members shall be entitled to one vote each and they must vote in person.

return to top

ARTICLE XIII – PUBLICATIONS

Section 1. The Society shall have a publication whose nature will be determined by the Board of Directors.

Section 2. The Editor of the Publication shall be appointed by the Board of Directors.


ARTICLE XIV – FUNDS AND DUES

Section 1. The annual dues shall be determined by the Board of Directors. Notice of any proposal to change the annual dues from those currently in force shall be sent to each member at least thirty (30) days before the annual convention at which time such changes are to be voted upon.

Section 2. Annual dues are receivable in January to May by the Treasurer and/or by an authorized PSM Board member. Members in arrears for three (3) consecutive years shall be dropped from the rolls of the Society after proper notification. Members shall be re-instated upon payment of unpaid dues. 

Section 3. Life membership fees and scholarship funds shall be deposited as Trust Funds and only the interest shall be spent by the Society.


ARTICLE XV – AMENDMENTS

Section 1. This By-Laws may be amended by majority vote of all members and by majority of the Board of Directors at the annual meeting. The proposed amendments should be submitted to the Board of Directors not later than two months before the annual meeting.

Section 2. Any amendment that has been adopted shall take effect upon approval by the Securities and Exchange Commission.


ARTICLE XVI – FISCAL YEAR

Section 1. The fiscal year starts on June 1 and ends on May 31 of the following year. Adopted this May 10, 2000 at Fort Ilocandia Resort Hotel, Laoag, Ilocos Norte by majority of the general membership.

return to top